Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, or BCBS, has recently proposed a policy that limits how much they will pay for policyholders’ anesthesia.
Anthem BCBS said plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared they will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit — regardless of how long they take.
This new proposed policy has caused outrage from medical professionals and policyholders alike. The American Anesthesiologist Association, or ASA, has strongly condemned the policy calling the policy “inappropriate and misguided.” The association strongly recommends that those affected contact their state insurance commissioner or their state legislator immediately.
The proposed policy comes to light a day after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson was headed to speak with the company investors when he was killed. While it is unclear what was the motive behind the attack, new information reveals that the shooter’s bullets left at the crime scene had the following inscribed message: Deny, Defend, Depose.
Social media users have grotesquely joked that a similar fate may be met by BCBS executives if the policy proposal is not denied.
